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15th November 2019
11:21am GMT

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the final tournament group stage, the following criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine their rankings: a. higher number of points obtained in the matches played among the teams in question; b. superior goal difference resulting from the matches played among the teams in question; c. higher number of goals scored in the matches played among the teams in question;So, if Georgia draw with Switzerland, as is entirely possible considering they have already taken points off both Ireland and Denmark, these criteria will then come into play if Ireland beat Denmark. As it stands, with only one game left to play between Ireland, Switzerland and the Danes, this"mini-pool" would look like the below;
So... a win for Ireland against Denmark would put the three teams once again level on points. That brings goal difference into play. But, thankfully for Ireland, it only counts between the three teams.
Let's assume Ireland scrape an incredible, brave and spirited 1-0 win over Denmark after a last-gasp Shane Duffy header. Being as positive as can possibly be, that's the most likely way the unlikely scenario will play out. The mini-table would then look like this;
So, Ireland would actually still end up in third place even if they beat Denmark by one goal, should Switzerland draw against Georgia. Which would mean that beating Denmark by any means is no longer an option for Mick McCarthy's side. Ireland would have to beat Denmark by two goals.
Boiling all the above down to one sentence;
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